A few years ago, many internet users were unaware that their online activity could be monitored. The thought that someone could be snooping on your online activities is naturally very concerning. Hence, looking into ways to ensure your privacy becomes necessary.
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) offers you the privacy you need. It ensures that no individual, entity or service provider can spy on your online interactions. Even your ISP will not be privy to what you do on the internet.
How a VPN Protects Your Online Privacy
A Virtual Private Network utilizes encryption technologies to protect internet users connected to the service. These technologies include:
- IP Security (IPSec)
- Transport Layer Security (TLS)
- Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol L2TP/IPSec
- Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
They create a tunnel, so to say, between your PC or device and the VPN server. This tunnel conceals your online activities from curious individuals, your government, and even your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Hence, you can send and receive data online anonymously and safely. As well as ensuring you are anonymous, VPNs make it possible to share files as well as access streaming services such as Netflix. This is possible even in locations where the service is not allowed.
You can try for free the best VPN and enjoy stress-free browsing any time. Some people opt to use the employer’s VPN but there is a downside to that. Your boss may be watching your internet activity. If that bothers you, you are better off with a private VPN you can use at home.
Will Your VPN Track You?
VPNs are refreshingly straightforward to set up. You can have yours up and running in a few minutes. However, many people can’t help wondering if the VPN will not track them. If this is a concern for you, look up your VPN’s terms and policies.
Some VPNs keep records of your internet history even when they are not expected to. Others have been known to be sneaky with users’ record. The best VPNs do not keep your records and provide a higher level of security.
There are some VPNs such as those offered by some social media platforms that spy on you. Once you install these, you allow them to access and share data about your activities on their platform.
Also, VPN service companies are not immune to cybercriminals. Hackers have been known to find the source of a VPN and hack into it. With that information, they can track down anyone that is connected to the Service.
Connecting to a VPN will reduce your internet speed since you will be sharing the service’s broadband with others. Moreover, each internet connection will go through the VPN before it comes to you.
Most VPN services demand that you install an application on all your internet-enabled devices. Several of them support mobile devices, both iOS and Android. This allows you to browse anonymously on your smartphone or tablet as well.
Choosing Your VPN
First off, you know that you want to surf the web without worrying about being spied on. That helps to shorten your list of possible VPNs. Then, you must decide between a free VPN or pay for one. Consider the pros and cons of each before purchasing.
Most VPN services charge a fee for their services as they have to factor in costs such as:
- Network equipment
- Broadband
Nevertheless, some offer free services. If, however, you are huge on privacy, you will want to opt for the paid service. A free service may not provide the level of security you would want. The best-paid service you can opt for comes with plenty of bandwidth and a variety of sites.
Lots of VPN services offer free trials. You get to test the service before paying for it. The services may not be uniform as they are dependent on factors such as:
- The location
- The company
The pricing is also dependent on the company. However, longer terms are cheaper than short ones. If you can, go for the annual payment instead of paying in short bursts. Also, take advantage of the free offer before signing up for the long contract and have a feel of the VPN.
Conclusion
Everyone should be able to surf the web safely. While your Internet Service Provider may claim to have a no spying policy, they can still snoop because they can. Also, you may want to access material that may be limited in your location.
Getting a VPN allows you to conduct your business online anonymously. You should consider trying out the free service and see how much your online activity changes.